Improvements in the production of one-piece stemware from glass or the like

ABSTRACT

Glass or like stemware is manufactured in one piece by partforming an article having a glob of material in the position where the stem is required, placing the glob between rollers which have a shape defining the required shape of the stem, and rotating the glob between the rollers while advancing the rollers inwardly. Subsequently a foot forming member is axially advanced towards the glob to apply pressure against the glob to form a radially-extending foot.

United States Patent [1 1 Inns et al. [451 Nov. 20, 1973 [54]IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF 2,392,104 1/1946 Smith 65/109 XONE-PIECE STEMWARE FROM GLASS OR 2,289,999 7/1942 Schultz 65/D1G. 10 THELIKE 3,071,946 1/1963 Watsun et 65/D1G. 10 3,271,123 9/1966 Benard65/109 X [75] Inventors: David Harold Inns; William Roy 1,77 3 10/1930Williams et 5/ G- 10 Bennett; Arnold Chambers, f 631,589 8/1899 Rudolph65/297 Chesterfield Derbyshire England 674,519 5/1901 Rudolph 65/297[73] Assignee: Glass Tubes and Components FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS Limited, Chesterfield, Derbyshlre, 566,519 1 1945 GreatBritain 65/DIG. 10 England Filed: y 26, 1972 Primary ExaminerFrank W.Miga 21 Appl No 275 447 Attorney-Solon B. Kemon et a].

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Aug. 2, 1971 GreatBritain 36,199/71 Glass or like Stemware is manufactured in one piece bypart-forming an article having a glob of material in [52] Cl theposition where the stem is required, placing the [51] Int Cl 25/04 globbetween rollers which have a shape defining the [58] Fie'ld 296 requiredshape of the stern, and rotating the glob be- 65/297 6 tween the rollerswhile advancing the rollers inwardly. Subsequently a foot forming memberis axially ad- [56] References Cited vanced towards the glob to applypressure against the U D ST ES P E S glob to form a radially-extendingfoot. 1,906,315 2/ 1933 Davis et a1. 65/109 X 8 Claims, 11 DrawingFigures IM-PROVEM-ENTSIN THE PRODUCTION OF ONE-PIECE'STEMWARE FROM GLASSOR THE LIKE This invention relates to the production of one-piecestemware fromglass and other viscous settable materials.

Typically such articles are at present made by the processes describedin British Patent Specifications Nos. 822,585 and 833,590. In thefirstof these the foot is formed in a blow moulding machine by upwardspressure on the bottom of the blown glass, and in the second the foot iswithdrawn to form a neck between the foot and the bowl. Neither'methodpermits the fabrication of more complex stem shapes.

According to this invention there is provided a method of manufacturinga stemmed article from a viscous settable material comprising the stepsof providing a part-formed article having a glob of material in theposition where the stem is required, placing the glob between spacedrollers and rotating the glob between the rollers while advancing therollers inwardly to form a stem having a profile defined by the surfaceof the rollers.

Preferably a foot forming member is subsequently advanced axiallytowards the glob to apply pressure thereagainst so as to form a radiallyextending foot on the article.

According to the invention there is also provided apparatus formanufacturing a stemmed article from a viscous settable material,comprising means for rotatably supporting a part-formed article withpart thereof between parallel shaped rollers, and means for advancingthe rollers towards each other to form a stern on the article.

The invention will be described in more detail, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section through a part-formed glass article which isto be provided with a stem and foot;

FIGS. 2 to 4 are schematic diagrams illustrating in a simplified mannerthe operation of a stem forming machine embodying the invention, thethree figures showing successive stages in the method;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the production of arelatively complex stem shape;

FIGS. 5A and 5B show other stem shapes which can be produced;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a stem-forming machine based on FIGS. 2 to 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the machine of FIG. 6 taken on the lineVII-VII;

FIG. 8 shows the cam plate of the machine; and

FIG. 9 is a somewhat diagrammatic sectional view of another machineembodying the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a part-formed glass article having a holding the componentwhilst being rotated.

2. The cylindrical glob 12 of glass of suitable dimensions for theformation of the stem and foot.

3. The provision that the neck ring and glob are true and concentricwith each other.

These requirements for the work-piece can all be produced and maintainedby conventional blow/- moulding or other forming methods used onexisting machinery. An accurately predetermined weight of glass is usedin the blow/moulding operation, so that the part-formed article of FIG.1 has an accurate shape and an accurate weight of glass in the glob 12.This leads to good geometrical and dimensional stability in thesubsequent formation of the stem.

The part-formed article is transferred to a separate machine,illustrated diagrammatically in FIGS. 2 to 4, without delay in order tominimize heat loss. This can be done manually or with an automatictransfer device. The stem-forming machine consists essentially of threefreely-rotatable shaped rollers 16 which are equispaced around thepart-formed article 10 and which are automatically displaced radiallyinwards. The partformed article is held by its neck ring 14 in rotatablejaws (not shown), and the rollers 16 are positioned square andconcentric with the jaws. A cam advances the rollers 16 inwardly towardsthe glob 12, one of the rollers reaching the glob before the other twoso as to allow the first roller to true up the revolving glob 12 priorto final forming, and to allow gas jets to continue to play on the globfor as long as possible with as little contact as necessary betweenroller and glob.

Three columns of gas jets are disposed equidistantly about the centre ofthe forming mechanism between the rollers. The temperature of the flameis adjustable, with the lower jets being controlled independently of theupper jets during formation of the foot.

To form the foot, a foot forming plate 18 is situated below the level ofthe rollers 16 with its centre axis on the axis of the jaws. The footforming plate can revolve freely and at the same speed as the jaws. Itis also provided with a vertical drive to produce an up or down motion,with pressure exerted during the upward movement.

The manufacture proceeds as follows. Initially the gasjets are lit andset to achieve a suitable temperature. A workpiece having the shapeshown in FIG. 1 is formed on a conventional blow/moulding machine and istransferred with as little delay as possible to the stemforming machineso as to retain the heat in the glass. A typical maximum-transfer timewould be fifteen secends.

The workpiece is then held in the jaws which commence to rotate at apredetermined speed, and the jaws are lowered to bring the glob 12 inthe correct position relative to the rollers and the gas jets. The firstroller is then moved inwardly by the cam plate to bearlightly againstthe revolving glass glob 12. No real pressure is exerted and this ispurely to control the glob when it is in a pliable state. One roller issufficient to control this and prevent eccentricity of the glob, and byusing only one roller a greater area remains for the gas flames to playon the glob and, further, heat loss by contact with the rollers is keptto a minimum. When the glob is brought to the correct temperature, whichmay take about thirty seconds depending on the size of the glob, theremaining rollers 16 are then brought to bear on the glob. At this stageall the'rollers 16 are positioned concentrically around the glob.

The cam plate now moves the rollers 16 symmetrically and evenly inwardstowards the axis of the machine, pressure being exerted on the glass.This stage is illustrated in FIG. 2. The glob is thus rolled to asmaller diameter, the surplus glass 20 being forced down below the levelof the lower edges of the rollers 16.

When the required stem diameter is reached the rollers are maintained inthis position whilst the foot forming plate 18 is raised into contactwith the excess glass 20 which has been forced down by the rollers 16,as shown in FIG. 3. The foot forming plate is then raised under steadypressure, and a squeezing action takes place between the foot formingplate 18 and the lower faces 22 of the rollers 16, causing the glass tospead outwardly to form the foot, as shown in FIG. 4.

When this state is reached the gas jets are turned off and the glassallowed to cool. When the glass is sufficiently stable, the foot formingplate 18 is lowered, the rollers 16 move outwards, the jaws are raisedand rotation of the jaws is stopped. The article with the completedstern can now be transferred to a burn-off or crack-off process tocomplete the formation of the bowl by removing the moil, and remove theneck ring.

With small glasses the foot forming plate 18 can remain freelyrevolving, as described, but with larger articles it may be necessary todrive the foot forming plate at the same speed as the jaws, the actualspeed of these being adjustable and being determined by the size of theglass being produced.

It will be appreciated that the shape of the rollers shown in FIGS. 2 to4 is purely schematic, and that the process can be used to producestemware of varying shapes and sizes. One rotationally-symmetrical shapeis shown in FIG. 5, and it will be seen that the roller contour isreflected in the shape of the finished stem. Examples of other possiblestem shapes are shown in FIGS. 5A and 58.

It may be possible to provide faceted surfaces to the rollers to produceother stem and foot shape, for example based on a square or hexagonalcross-section.

FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate a stem-forming machine which utilises theprinciples described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. The machine has amachine frame 40 which carries a hollow cylindrical housing 42 which inturn supports a top plate 44. On the plate 44 run three roller brackets46 provided with rollers 48 by means of which they can travel radiallyinwardly and outwardly. The brackets 46, carry corresponding rollers 50which correspond to the rollers 16 of FIGS. 2 to 4. In this case alsothe rollers are shown with a simplified profile. The rollers 50 arefreely rotatable on the brackets 46.

Each bracket 46 has a downward arm 52 which projects through a slot inthe plate 44 and engages a cam plate 54. To bias the arms 52 against thecam plate each bracket 46 is provided with a tension spring 56 whichexerts an outward pull on the bracket. The cam plate 54 is rotatablymounted between the bearing plate 55 supported in housing 42 and the topplate 44 and can be driven through a drive gear 58.

Gas burners 60 are positioned between the brackets 46 and have inwardlydirected gas jets. The burners 60 are linked to the brackets 46 by links62 which are effective to inter-relate the movement of the burners 60and brackets 46 so that inwards movement of the brackets 46 causesoutwards movement of the burners and vice versa. Thus as the cam plate'54 moves the brackets 46 and hence the rollers 50 inwards, the burners60 are automatically retracted.

A foot forming plate 64 is mounted at the top of shaft 66 which can bedriven for rotation at its lower Ill end through drive gears 68. Theplate 64 together with the shaft 66 can also be moved vertically bydrive gears 70 which co-operate with a multi-start thread around theshaft 66 to raise and lower the foot plate.

In view of the above description with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 it isnot believed that a detailed description of the operation of the machineof FIGS. 6 and 7 is required. Briefly, however, a part-formed glass 72is held by jaws and lowered into the space between the rollers 50, thesebeing in their outermost positions. The gas jets from burners 60 play onthe glass glob 12 (see FIG. 1). When the required temperature isreached, the cam plate 54 bears on arms 52 to advance the brackets 46with rollers 50 and simultaneously withdraw burners 60. When the stem isshaped, the foot-forming plate 64 is raised by gears 70 to form the footon the glass. If desired, drive is provided to the foot plate from gears68.

The cam plate 54 is shown in FIG. 8. It is divided into three sectors A,B and C for the three respective rollers 50. Each sector is in turnsubdivided into three phases 1, 2 and 3 as shown. Sector A correspondsto the leading roller which is used to true up the glob, and thus phaseAl advances this roller to the centralising position, phase A2 holds itthere for re-heating, and phase A3 applies pressure to form the stem.Sectors B and C are identical, phases B1 and C1 causing no movement,phases B2 and C2 causing a steady advance of these two rollers, andphases B3 and C3 being identical to phases A3 to apply pressure to thestem.

The machine shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 also includes a water cooling systemfor the rollers 50 which has been omitted for simplicity.

Another machine is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 9. Here thestern and foot forming takes place on the actual blow/moulding machineused to produce the part-formed article. The figure illustrates twopositions. In the first the blow tube is used to blow the bowl and formthe glob for the stem and foot in a mould 82 the bottom of which isclosed by a foot forming plate 84, the rollers 86 being well retracted.After the blowing operation, the mould is opened and the part-form edarticle 88, still supported by the blow tube 80, is brought between therollers 86. Subsequent operation is similar to that of the machine ofFIGS. 6 to 8.

This embodiment enables the completed article to be made withouttransfer to a separate machine.

While the manufacture of glass articles has been described, it will beclearly apparent that the process can be applied to other viscoussettable materials.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for manufacturing a stemmed article from a viscousmaterial, comprising:

jaw means for rotatably supporting a part-formed article of viscousmaterial for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the article;

at least two parallel spaced rollers around the jaw means rotatableabout respective axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the jaw means;and means coupled to the rollers for advancing the rollers towards eachother to form a stem on the article. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the advancing means is adapted to advance one roller ahead ofthe other into an initial contacting position.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, including heating means for heatingan article positioned between the rollers and coupled to the rollers forautomatic retracfoot.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is provided inassociation with a blow/moulding machine whereby a blow tube of theblow/moulding machine can support an article between the rollers.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said jaw means is adapted totransmit drive to said article, and said rollers are freely rotatableand adapted to be driven by said article.

1. Apparatus for manufacturing a stemmed article from a viscousmaterial, comprising: jaw means for rotatably supporting a part-formedarticle of viscous material for rotation about a longitudinal axis ofthe article; at least two parallel spaced rollers around the jaw meansrotatable about respective axis parallel to the axis of rotation of thejaw means; and means coupled to the rollers for advancing the rollerstowards each other to form a stem on the article.
 2. Apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the advancing means is adapted to advance one rollerahead of the other into an initial contacting position.
 3. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, including heating means for heating an articlepositioned between the rollers and coupled to the rollers for automaticretraction of the heating means on advancement of the rollers. 4.Apparatus according to claim 1, including a foot forming member mountedfor axial advancement towards an article positioned between the rollersand shaped for forming a radially extending foot on the article. 5.Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said foot forming member isfreely rotatable.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the basesof said rollers are conical to assist formation of said foot. 7.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is provided inassociation with a blow/moulding machine whereby a blow tube of theblow/moulding machine can support an article between the rollers. 8.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said jaw means is adapted totransmit drive to said article, and said rollers are freely rotatableand adapted to be driven by said article.